His entire right shoulder and side hurt and he was damn glad he didn’t have to stand up there in front of everyone during the wedding.In the shower earlier, he’d been covered in bright purple and magenta bruises.He’d refused to take the pills he’d gotten at the hospital, because they made him feel woozy and sick to his stomach, so he had to get through this cold turkey.
When he got downstairs a few minutes later, the lobby was already filled with wedding guests.Around the perimeter he spotted several of the security guards Taylor had brought in to watch the place, but they were doing a good job of blending in.Taylor was personally seeing to the security of the wedding party and guests, as well as keeping the media away from the resort.
Not surprisingly, news outlets across the country were already streaming stories about last night’s attack by an apparent domestic terror cell, and that a senator’s daughter had been among the victims.Thankfully Candace’s name and family hadn’t been leaked yet, but it wouldn’t stay that way for long.
Jackson stood near the entrance and nodded when he saw Ryan, a smile tugging at his mouth.“Hey, big guy.How you feeling?”
“I feel awesome.”
“Uh huh.”He gestured outside.“Want to go get our seats before this gets rolling?”
“Yeah.”He slipped on his shades as they stepped outside into the bright, late morning sunlight.“Maya hear anything yet?”
“She’s been in contact with her people at the Bureau.Apparently March had been building a militia with the hopes of attacking government targets in Montana and elsewhere, eventually planning to hit D.C.His big plan was to have his followers rise up and topple the government, thought the country would rise up against the so-called ‘tyranny his ancestors and fellow brothers and sisters in arms’ had fought against.”
“Wow, he wasn’t into small potatoes, was he?”
“Nope.The Feds aren’t releasing March’s name just yet, but it won’t be long.Not sure if they’ve got him talking yet but they’re tracking down all his followers as we speak, and apparently there’ve already been a fair number rounded up.March Madness is dead.”He shot Ryan a sidelong glance.“How’s Ace holding up?”
“So far so good.Looking at her right now, you’d never know she was shot last night.”He broke into a smile when he saw her standing off to the side of the white gazebo set into the middle of the garden, talking to Devon and Maya, all in their bridesmaids dresses.
“Yeah, she looks good.”
She sure as hell did.The soft peach gown made her skin glow, and the sunlight glinted off her golden-blond hair.She’d carefully tucked the bandage beneath the edge of the fabric where it crossed her shoulder blade, and what the dress didn’t hide of the bruising she’d managed to cover with makeup.
Watching her now, a powerful tide of love and protectiveness flowed through him.She meant everything to him, and as much as being wounded sucked for them both, it meant he’d have more time stateside with her while he healed up.
After all this he wanted time alone to reconnect with her without any interruptions or distractions.To show her how much he loved her, how much she meant to him.
“Went, Thatcher.”
They both turned their heads to find Liam and Honor Magrath heading their way across the lawn.Liam wore a dark suit and Honor had on a pale green dress.“Hey, you guys made it after all.”
“Just in time.”The Night Stalker pilot took in Ryan’s sling and offered him his left hand to shake.
Apparently not satisfied with a mere handshake, Honor wrapped her arms around Ryan’s waist instead, her pale blue eyes searching his.“We just heard what happened.Are you all right?”
“I’m okay.”
“And Ace?”
“See for yourself.”He nodded toward Candace.
Honor’s strawberry-blond hair swished around her shoulders as she turned her head toward Candace, then back to him.“Okay, now I feel better.”
Liam set an arm around her shoulders, looking at him and Jackson.“Sorry I missed out on the action.I hear you guys had one hell of a hunting expedition last night.”
“Yeah, we did.”Ryan looked around.“Where’s Cam?”
“He’ll be here in a sec.”Jackson nodded toward the neatly-arranged rows of white folding chairs set out on the lawn in front of the gazebo.“Shall we?”
Violin music started up a minute after they’d sat down, signaling the start of the ceremony.He half turned in his seat to watch Wade stride down the grassy aisle with his groomsmen and stand at the entrance of the gazebo dressed in a black tux and Stetson to await his bride.
Next came the bridesmaids.He couldn’t take his eyes off his wife.She glowed up there at the front of the line of bridesmaids, tall and gorgeous and strong, giving no sign of the pain he knew she was in.
Damn, she amazed him.When this was over, he was going to take her away someplace to relax.Somewhere with a white sand beach and their own private hideaway within sight of the ocean, where they could be alone and enjoy each other’s company.
When everyone was at the altar, Maya appeared at the top of the aisle, looking shockingly soft and feminine in her matron of honor gown.She walked down to take her place directly next to the altar, and faced front to await the bride.
